APPENDIX C. GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR)Range of intake
for a particular energy source that is associated with reduced risk of chronic
disease while providing intakes of essential nutrients. If an individual
consumes in excess of the AMDR, there is a potential of increasing the risk of
chronic diseases and/or insufficient intakes of essential nutrients.

Added SugarsSugars and syrups that are added to foods during
processing or preparation. Added sugars do not include naturally occurring
sugars such as those that occur in milk and fruits.

Adequate Intakes (AI)A recommended average daily nutrient intake
level based on observed or experimentally determined approximations or estimates
of mean nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of apparently healthy people. The
AI is used when the Estimated Average Requirement cannot be determined.

Body Mass Index (BMI)BMI is a practical measure for approximating
total body fat and is a measure of weight in relation to height. It is
calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters.

Cardiovascular DiseaseRefers to diseases of the heart and diseases of
the blood vessel system (arteries, capillaries, veins) within a person’s entire
body, such as the brain, legs, and lungs.

CholesterolA sterol present in all animal tissues. Free cholesterol
is a component of cell membranes and serves as a precursor for steroid hormones,
including estrogen, testosterone, aldosterone, and bile acids. Humans are able
to synthesize sufficient cholesterol to meet biologic requirements, and there is
no evidence for a dietary requirement for cholesterol.

Dietary cholesterolConsumed from foods of animal origin, including
meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Plant foods, such as grains,
fruits and vegetables, and oils from these sources contain no dietary
cholesterol.

Serum cholesterolTravels in the blood in distinct particles
containing both lipids and proteins. Three major classes of lipoproteins are
found in the serum of a fasting individual: low-density lipoprotein (LDL),
high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL).
Another lipoprotein class, intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), resides
between VLDL and LDL; in clinical practice, IDL is included in the LDL
measurement.

Chronic Diseasessuch as heart disease, cancer, and diabetesare the
leading causes of death and disability in the United States. These diseases
account for 7 of every 10 deaths and affect the quality of life of 90 million
Americans. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health
problems, they are also among the most preventable. Adopting healthy behaviors
such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco
use can prevent or control the devastating effects of these diseases.

Coronary Heart DiseaseA narrowing of the small blood vessels that
supply blood and oxygen to the heart (coronary arteries).

Daily Food Intake PatternIdentifies the types and amounts of foods
that are recommended to be eaten each day and that meet specific nutritional
goals. (Federal Register Notice, vol. 68, no. 176, p. 53536, Thursday,
September 11, 2003)

Danger ZoneThe temperature that allows bacteria to multiply rapidly
and produce toxins, between 40°F and 140°F. To keep food out of this danger
zone, keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Keep food cold in the refrigerator,
in coolers, or on ice in the service line. Keep hot food in the oven, in heated
chafing dishes, or in preheated steam tables, warming trays, and/or slow
cookers. Never leave perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs, and
casseroles, in the danger zone longer than 2 hours or longer than 1 hour in
temperatures above 90°F.

Dietary FiberNonstarch polysaccharides and lignin that are not
digested by enzymes in the small intestine. Dietary fiber typically refers to
nondigestable carbohydrates from plant foods.

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)A set of nutrient-based reference
values that expand upon and replace the former Recommended Dietary Allowances
(RDAs) in the United States and the Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) in
Canada. They are actually a set of four reference values: Estimated Average
Requirements (EARs), RDAs, AIs, and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs).

Discretionary Calorie AllowanceThe balance of calories remaining in a
person’s energy allowance after accounting for the number of calories needed to
meet recommended nutrient intakes through consumption of foods in low-fat or no
added sugar forms. The discretionary calorie allowance may be used in selecting
forms of foods that are not the most nutrient-dense (e.g., whole milk rather
than fat-free milk) or may be additions to foods (e.g., salad dressing, sugar,
butter).

Estimated Average RequirementsEAR is the average daily nutrient
intake level estimated to meet the requirement of half the healthy individuals
in a particular life stage and gender group.

Estimated Energy RequirementThe EER represents the average dietary energy
intake that will maintain energy balance in a healthy person of a given gender,
age, weight, height, and physical activity level.

FDAMAThe Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act, enacted Nov.
21, 1997, amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act relating to the
regulation of food, drugs, devices, and biological products. With the passage of
FDAMA, Congress enhanced FDA’s mission in ways that recognized the Agency would
be operating in a 21st century characterized by increasing technological, trade,
and public health complexities.

FightBAC!A national public education campaign to promote food safety
to consumers and educate them on how to handle and prepare food safely. In this
campaign, pathogens are represented by a cartoon-like bacteria character named
“BAC.”

Foodborne DiseaseCaused by consuming contaminated foods or beverages.
Many different disease-causing microbes, or pathogens, can contaminate foods, so
there are many different foodborne infections. In addition, poisonous chemicals,
or other harmful substances, can cause foodborne diseases if they are present in
food. The most commonly recognized foodborne infections are those caused by the
bacteria Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7, and by a
group of viruses called calicivirus, also known as the Norwalk and Norwalk-like
viruses.

Heme IronOne of two forms of iron occurring in foods. Heme iron is
bound within the iron-carrying proteins (hemoglobin and myoglobin) found in
meat, poultry, and fish. While it contributes a smaller portion of iron to
typical American diets than non-heme iron, a larger proportion of heme iron is
absorbed.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)A corn sweetener derived from the wet
milling of corn. Cornstarch is converted to a syrup that is nearly all dextrose.
HFCS is found in numerous foods and beverages on the grocery store shelves.

HydrogenationA chemical reaction that adds hydrogen atoms to an
unsaturated fat, thus saturating it and making it solid at room temperature.

Leisure-Time Physical ActivityPhysical activity that is performed
during exercise, recreation, or any additional time other than that associated
with one’s regular job duties, occupation, or transportation.

ListeriosisA serious infection caused by eating food contaminated
with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which has recently been
recognized as an important public health problem in the United States. The
disease affects primarily pregnant women, their fetuses, newborns, and adults
with weakened immune systems. Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking;
however, in certain ready-to-eat foods, such as hot dogs and deli meats,
contamination may occur after cooking/manufacture but before packaging.
Listeria monocytogenes can survive at refrigerated temperatures.

MicronutrientVitamins and minerals that are required in the human
diet in very small amounts.

Moderate Physical ActivityAny activity that burns 3.5 to 7 kcal/min
or the equivalent of 3 to 6 metabolic equivalents (METs) and results in
achieving 60 to 73 percent of peak heart rate. An estimate of a person’s peak
heart rate can be obtained by subtracting the person’s age from 220. Examples of
moderate physical activity include walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing,
swimming, or bicycling on level terrain. A person should feel some exertion but
should be able to carry on a conversation comfortably during the activity.

Monounsaturated Fatty AcidsMonounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) have
one double bond. Plant sources that are rich in MUFAs include vegetable oils
(e.g., canola oil, olive oil, high oleic safflower and sunflower oils) that are
liquid at room temperature and nuts.

Nutrient-Dense FoodsNutrient-dense foods are those that provide
substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and relatively fewer calories.

Ounce-EquivalentIn the grains food group, the amount of a food
counted as equal to a one-ounce slice of bread; in the meat, poultry, fish, dry
beans, eggs, and nuts food group, the amount of food counted as equal to one
ounce of cooked meat, poultry, or fish. Examples are listed in
table 1 and
appendix A-1.

n-6 PUFAsLinoleic acid, one of the n-6 fatty acids, is required but
cannot be synthesized by humans and, therefore, is considered essential in the
diet. Primary sources are liquid vegetable oils, including soybean oil, corn
oil, and safflower oil.

n-3 PUFAsα-linolenic acid is an n-3 fatty acid that is required
because it is not synthesized by humans and, therefore, is considered essential
in the diet. It is obtained from plant sources, including soybean oil, canola
oil, walnuts, and flaxseed. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA) are long chain n-3 fatty acids that are contained in fish and shellfish.

PathogenAny microorganism that can cause or is capable of causing
disease.

Polyunsaturated Fatty AcidsPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have
two or more double bonds and may be of two types, based on the position of the
first double bond.

Portion SizeThe amount of a food consumed in one eating occasion.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)The dietary intake level that is
sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97 to 98 percent)
healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group.

Saturated Fatty AcidsSaturated fatty acids have no double bonds. They
primarily come from animal products such as meat and dairy products. In general,
animal fats are solid at room temperature.

Sedentary BehaviorsIn scientific literature, sedentary is often
defined in terms of little or no physical activity during leisure time. A
sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle characterized by little or no physical
activity.

Serving SizeA standardized amount of a food, such as a cup or an
ounce, used in providing dietary guidance or in making comparisons among similar
foods.

Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)The highest average daily nutrient
intake level likely to pose no risk of adverse health affects for nearly all
individuals in a particular life stage and gender group. As intake increases
above the UL, the potential risk of adverse health affects increases.

Trans fatty acidsTrans fatty acids, or trans
fats, are unsaturated fatty acids that contain at least one non-conjugated
double bond in the trans configuration. Sources of trans fatty
acids include hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated vegetable oils that are used
to make shortening and commercially prepared baked goods, snack foods, fried
foods, and margarine. Trans fatty acids also are present in foods that
come from ruminant animals (e.g., cattle and sheep). Such foods include dairy
products, beef, and lamb.

VegetarianThere are several categories of vegetarians, all of whom
avoid meat and/or animal products. The vegan or total vegetarian diet includes
only foods from plants: fruits, vegetables, legumes (dried beans and peas),
grains, seeds, and nuts. The lactovegetarian diet includes plant foods plus
cheese and other dairy products. The ovo-lactovegetarian (or
lacto-ovovege-tarian) diet also includes eggs. Semi-vegetarians do not eat red
meat but include chicken and fish with plant foods, dairy products, and eggs.

Vigorous Physical ActivityAny activity that burns more than 7
kcal/min or the equivalent of 6 or more metabolic equivalents (METs) and results
in achieving 74 to 88 percent of peak heart rate. An estimate of a person’s peak
heart rate can be obtained by subtracting the person’s age from 220. Examples of
vigorous physical activity include jogging, mowing the lawn with a nonmotorized
push mower, chopping wood, participating in high-impact aerobic dancing,
swimming continuous laps, or bicycling uphill. Vigorous-intensity physical
activity may be intense enough to represent a substantial challenge to an
individual and results in a significant increase in heart and breathing rate.

Weight-Bearing ExerciseAny activity one performs that works bones and
muscles against gravity, including walking, running, hiking, dancing,
gymnastics, and soccer.

Whole GrainsFoods made from the entire grain seed, usually called the
kernel, which consists of the bran, germ, and endosperm. If the kernel has been
cracked, crushed, or flaked, it must retain nearly the same relative proportions
of bran, germ, and endosperm as the original grain in order to be called whole
grain.16